ADVERTISEMENT

PREFIXED TO THE FIRST EDITION.

IF

the reader should meet here with any thing which he had not before attended to, it will not be in the obvervations upon the constitution and course of nature, these being all obvious; but in the application of them: in which, though there is nothing but what appears to me of some real weight, and therefore of great importance; yet he will observe several things, which will appear to him of very little, if we can think things to be of little importance, which are of any real weight at all, upon such a subject as religion. However, the proper force of the following Treatise lies in the whole general analogy considered together.

It is come, I know not how, to be taken for granted, by many persons, that Christianity is not so much as a subject of inquiry; but that it is, now at length, discovered to be fictitious. And accordingly they treat it, as if, in the present age, this were an agreed point

among all people of discernment; and nothing remained, but to set it up as a principal subject of mirth and ridicule, as it were by way of reprisals, for its having so long interrupted the pleasures of the world. On the contrary, thus much, at least, will be here found, not taken for granted, but proved, that any reasonable man, who will thoroughly consider the matter, may be as much assured, as he is of his own being, that it is not, however, so clear a case, that there is nothing in it. There is, I think, strong evidence of its truth ; but it is certain no one can, upon principles of reason, be satisfied of the contrary. And the practical consequence to be drawn from this is not attended to by every one who is concerned in it.

May, 1736.

Of the Government of God by Rewards and Punishments; and particularly of the latter

33

CHAP. III.

Of the Moral Government of God

CHAP. IV.

46

Of a State of Probation, as implying Trial, Difficulties, and Dan

ger.

CHAP. V.

72

Of a State of Probation, as intended for moral Discipline and Improvement.

81

CHAP. VI.

Of the Opinion of Necessity, considered as influencing Prac

tice

....

CHAP. VII.

107

Of the Government of God, considered as a Scheme or Constitution, imperfectly comprehended

125

CONCLUSION

-137

Of the supposed Presumption against a Revelation, considered as miraculous

165

CHAP. III.

Of our Incapacity of judging, what were to be expected in a Revelation; and the Credibility, from Analogy, that it must contain Things appearing liable to Objections..

CHAP. IV.

172

Of Christianity, considered as a Scheme or Constitution imperfectly comprehended..

CHAP. V.

189

Of the particular System of Christianity; the Appointment of a Mediator, and the Redemption of the World by him...... 197

CHAP. VI.

Of the Want of Universality in Revelation: and of the supposed Deficiency in the Proof of it

CHAP. VII.

Of the particular Evidence for Christianity

CHAP. VIII.

218

239

Of the Objections which may be made against arguing from the Analogy of Nature to Religion

CONCLUSION

279

294

DISSERTATION I.

Of Personal Identity

307

DISSERTATION II.

Of the Nature of Virtue

316